From the Beginning…

Life is full of ups and downs, it’s what you make each one that counts. My life is no different than most. I was raised in the tiny town of Appling, Georgia by my parents Charles & Peggy. I have one younger brother named Wyatt. We grew up next door to my Dad’s parents and my mom’s parents lived right across Little River in Lincolnton, Georgia where I live now. I met my husband through my cousins and because of those cousins we saw each other frequently but did not date. If fact I told him I wouldn’t date him if he was the last man on the planet! Well, I ate those words and they were tasty!

Every girl dreams of a man than adores her and I couldn’t have picked somebody that adores me more. He loves me with every fiber of his being and would sacrifice himself to trade places with me. I have seen that love unfold twice in the last month when I was incapable of taking care of myself. My soulmate’s name is Tal. I know what you’re thinking and nope it’s not short for anything; it’s just Tal. He is all mine and I am all his. We have had our issues, marriage is NOT easy but after 25 years we get each other and I honestly love him more everyday

We have two beautiful children: Kathryn just graduated from college and will start her teaching career next week actually. Adam will be starting his junior year in high school within the next few weeks. Somehow in the midst of this disease process Adam passed his drivers test and has been my constant companion and chauffeur. We are fixing to expand our family this winter by gaining a new son, Jaron. He and Kathryn became engaged last fall. Wedding planning is a chore but God has given me plenty of time to do this it’s just been from a hospital bed.

I have been a LPN since 1990 and never saw this coming. We learned about MG but that was it. I at one point in my career had a student diagnosed with MG but, it was never an issue at school and she never complained. She is resilient! She’s in college now, beautiful as ever and one of my cheerleaders in this battle.

My symptoms were so gradual that they simply did not add up. My father passed away in April 2015 and about 6 months after that I became extremely tired. I felt like I didn’t get enough sleep. I sought medical help and was given an antidepressant. It helped for a little while but then I had this feeling I could only describe as “impending doom”. I am not sure why I would describe it like that but I felt like something was terribly wrong and I didn’t know what it was or what was happening. In mid March I noticed my right eye drooping which was not unusual because it’s always been my lazy eye. This was different, by the end of the day it was completely closed. In May the double vision started and I felt like I had a bad case of acid reflux to where sometimes it would be hard to swallow. Did you ever think this would go together? Me neither and I AM A NURSE! On June 21st I choked while simply drinking tea. I pushed it to the back of my mind and thought it would get better. The next day I went to work and got choked again. A brilliant Doctor I work with had already pegged me and called a neurologist at the Medical College of Georgia that specializes in treatment of MG I was waiting to get an appointment to see if he was right. That morning he ordered me to get up from my desk and go straight to the ER. I cried, who wants orders to the ER? I called Tal and told him what was happening – he had a little idea but being the caregiver I am I hadn’t told him the half it. He beat me to the ER and was waiting with the most concerned look I have ever seen.

That was the start of an incredible journey. Like I have said before I know God has a plan and His plan is perfect. My job on this earth is to live in His will, follow His laws and be a light to those who live on this earth. I fully intend to do it with everything that I am. Will I be perfect, nope but that’s the beauty in it. I am saved by the blood of Jesus, my imperfections have been made perfect in the eyes of an Almighty God. Because of that saving grace I have the peace that passes all understanding. I don’t know where this journey will take me but I know the destination and it is HEAVENLY!!

2 Responses to From the Beginning…

Melynda, I love and admire you so much. I love you because you showed love to me. I admire you because of your faith. Not too many people have faith. Please know that you are always in my thoughts and prayers.